Lemuel Eversole, a prominent agriculturist of Jackson
township, residing on his farm in section 28, represents the sturdy,
independent spirit of our American manhood which has overcome all
obstacles encountered in the highways of life and has made our people
honored and respected among the nations of the world. Left an orphan in
early childhood, he has worked his way, unaided, to an independent
position. He is one of the large land-owners of Allen County, having
360 acres of well improved land, upon which he makes his home. Mr.
Eversole was born October 30, 1829, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son
of Peter and Rebecca (Snyder) Eversole, being one of seven children that
grew to adult years, viz.: Eliza, Catherine, Francis, Nancy, Lemuel,
Rebecca and Daniel.
When our subject was a child of two years, his parents moved to
Sandusky County where they died four years later, in 1835, within a
month of each other. Left alone in the world, Lemuel was taken into the
home of his uncle, John Eversole, of Perry County, where he remained
until he was 17. Educational opportunities were meager and consisted of
a short term schooling each winter. He was apprenticed to learn the
carpenter's trade, and for the three years thus engaged was given his
clothes and $30. Within three months after his time had expired, he was
on his way to California to seek his fortune in the gold fields. During
the two years spent in mining and gold-
washing, he did not make a fortune and decided to return to his native
State. In the spring of 1852 he come to Allen County where he purchased
a tract of wild land and secured work for the winter in the cabinet-shop
of Musser & Winn, of Lima. For another six years he worked at his trade
in the eastern part of the county, living frugally and saving his
earnings so that he was able, by selling his first purchase, to buy his
present property. In 1872 he built a large, substantial bank barn, and
three years later his pleasant brick home, one of the most attractive in
the county.
He was married July 8, 1855, to Sarah Nash, who was born July 11,
1837, and was a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Akins) Nash, early
settlers of this county. They were the parents of 12 children, viz.:
George W., Eliza J., wife of L. B. Harrod; Frank J., John E., Charles
A., Elva C., Daniel B., Nettie B., Lemuel N., Aura D., Ralph and a child
that died in infancy. Mr. Eversole is a member of the Christian Church.
He is a Repubican and a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted as a
100 day man in May, 1864, in Company A, 151st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.,
under Captain King, of Delphos, with the rank of 2nd corporal. Mr.
Eversole is a prominent Odd Fellow. He has served as township trustee
and on the School Board and has never failed to put his shoulder to the
wheel when the voice of duty called him.